The meeting of Jewish leaders in Krakow continues, with many at a stalemate with regards to their future. Most calls for a Jewish state in Palestine have died out following the Axumite war. Some push for an independent Jewish state in Beta Israel following the war, whilst others discuss alternative proposals. Some leaders discuss the need for a rich nation to back them, with proposals for the United States, China, or Mexico being put on the table. Yet the debates still continue.
Brian Mulroney's (conservative) opposition party in Canada continues to lobby the government to open up to American trade, though Trudeau's government continues to shut them down. A few minor protests have broken out, primarily in border towns, due to the developing situation.
Following a lengthy period of time behind closed doors, the smoke finally blows white in the Vatican, announcing that the conclave has elected a new pope. Cardinal
Giuseppe Siri is the new pope in Rome. Cardinal Siri has taken the name Pope Eusebius II, after
Pope Eusebius in the 3rd century. When asked, he stated that he agrees strongly with Pope Eusebius' belief that apostates should not be forever debarred from ecclesiastical communion, but readmitted after doing proper penance. This is a view he hopes to push during his papacy, as the church struggles with apostates in South East Asia as the Tai people turn to a state elected communist pope.
Following the election of Pope Eusebius II, and the statements by the Chinese, the Korean government passes legislature stating that they will no longer institute religious control over their people, and will begin the process of instituting complete freedom of religion for all Koreans. However, the nation is still strongly Catholic, which permeates all aspects of the nation, including the government. With this new legislature going into effect, the nation withdraws its official support for the pope in Ayutthaya, stating that the government leaves the decision on who to follow completely up to the people of Korea, rather than the government.
The Republic of Soissons continues their military buildup, having purchased some new fighters and bombers from the Novgorodians. They also begin constructing a series of border forts along the borders with Rome and the Rhineland. There are rumours of backroom deals between the Soissons and the Saxons across the sea.
The Karnata Kingdom in southern Africa continues its pro-Hinduist policies.
The referendum in the disputed region of Ladakh has passed successful, with the region voting overwhelmingly for independence. Though some say this is because the region has a different language from the Sindh, and are Buddhists to the Sindh's Muslims. The Sindh have respected the referendum, and have moved their forces out of the region. The Maratha Confederacy moved their troops to the northern mountains as soon as the Sindh left, and have issued an ultimatum to Ladakh, demanding that they submit to Marathan rule. The Ladakh have refused the ultimatum, and war appears to be an obvious outcome unless someone intervenes.
In the Americas,
Snake King has been elected in a democratic election in the Dominican Republic. Snake King, a former member of the cartel who turned from his former ways, has begun instituting policies to take control of the nations resources and resorts away from large companies and institutions, instead working to redistribute them to the workers and the people of the Dominican Republic. Although not explicitly communist, his party does have strong socialist leanings.